“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: George fought and won his battle against hepatoblastoma before he turned 1 year old! He brought a new level of faith to our whole family. We are grateful to God every day that George is a completely health and cancer-free toddler and continue to pray for and support all the precious little warriors who are still fighting!” – Catie P.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: For her Girl Scout Gold Award project and because of her compassion for teens, she planned and executed a spa day for teens with cancer and other illnesses. She garnered the support of the community and Wish Upon A Teen to hold this day to make these teens feel like princesses for a day and to learn about proper makeup, nailcare and facials during treatments. The volunteers were teens so that the participants could chat with other teens on topics including combating teen stress. Everyone had a great time and Maya’s Girl Scout troop plans to have another spa day for teens with cancer soon.” – Maureen S.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Ryan is my hero, my Superman due to his outrageous amount of strength he shows in life. He was diagnosed with Pediatric Follicular Lymphoma in May of 2012 (age 14), after overcoming a brain injury the prior year in football and overcoming 17 surgeries that took part of his hearing due to recurring Cholesteatomas since age 5. He looked at me the day of his diagnosis and informed me that like everything else in life, we would overcome this obstacle in life. After 3 years at the age of 17, he still hopes to hear those magical words, “cancer free”. He goes through life like a normal teen, only telling his closest friends and living life to the fullest.” – Dawn S.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Crystal’s 17 month old daughter Sophia passed away this year fighting for her life. Since that awful day, Crystal has become a voice for childhood cancer in our community. She returns to Doernbecher hospital to visit children and parents going through treatment, assists in fundraising for families and promotes awareness all while mourning the loss of her angel. Her strength and passion inspires many. She’s truly an amazing human being.” – Nicole B.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: This young boy is suffering from Stage 4 neuroblastoma but has a strong family and community support that has been with him through every step of the way. He is enrolled in preschool this year and has maintained a remarkable positivity through all that he has been through, always smiling like 4 year olds should be. I do not personally know this boy or his family, I work at the local newspaper and live in the small community that has rallied behind him and even from afar, I can tell that Jack Rollins is a fighter, and a superhero in his own right.” – Cassidy M.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Skye is a strong mother who shows continuous support for her 8 year old daughter, Aryana. At 18 months of age, Aryana fought and won her battle against leukemia. Aryana is currently fighting her second battle against leukemia. Skye also has a 4 year old daughter. Skye displays a tremendous amount of courage and faith. She is my hero and the hero to her daughters.” – Carolina C.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: Elijah, age 10 1/2, is a gold ribbon hero because despite having a rare Epitheliod Sarcoma tumor removed from his spine at 9 and now fighting for his life against cancer in and around both lungs, he has a great and positive attitude. He says, “Faith and believing are your cure.” – Max, Marliss and Cayce A.
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: My daughter, Abigail Cipoletti is my Gold Ribbon Heroe. Abigail was diagnosed with a Choroid Plexus Carcinoma at 3 months of age. She endured 2 12-15 hour brain surgeries, brain shunt placement surgery and chemotherapy during the1st year of her life. Everything in Abigail’s life was wait and see, according to the neurosurgeon post brain surgery and was given a 5% chance of survival. She has defied the odds and has become a smart, sassy, funny, sweet 6 year old little girl, who loves karate and playing baseball. Abigail is my heroe!!” – Alison C.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and many families affected by the disease are working hard to raise awareness and funds for more research. #13 is our ACCO Family
By Ellen Sturm Niz
“Reason this person is a Gold Ribbon Hero: This mother just lost her baby girl to ALL (Acute Lukemia) Simone was 26 months and had been in Remission. She relapsed only 3 weeks ago and her little heart could not take anymore on September 18, 2015. If you follow her story on #SuperSIMONE, you will see why Traci is a hero too Simone, her other daughter Jade, and the thousands of people who have fallen in love with this smiling angel. I know it would mean so much to her in this time of mourning to know that she is a HERO to all of us. Thank you” – Sarah S.
